1st Reading, from the Book of Acts of the Apostles, 1: 1-11
-Jesus is Taken Up to Heaven-
"...in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
The events of this day, filled with words of action, set up in motion the
important work that lays ahead for the apostles. No longer are they in wait for the coming of the Savior, for they know that God's prophecy has taken place in front of their very eyes, and the Messiah not only has been there with them, but has also announced his permanent departure from this earthly realm.
So there they are, the twelve, about to witness a miraculous event. Our Lord, after having said wise words to them, is elevated and surrounded with a cloud that takes him from the disciples' sight.
The disciples remain in the city, for Jesus has asked them to remain there until they receive the visit of the "special visitor", and the disciples oblige.
Like them, may we are able to wait for as long as Jesus requires of us, and may our hearts and souls be filled with the light and the power of the Holy Spirit.
*****W*E*L*C*O*M*E***H*O*L*Y***S*P*I*R*I*T*****
2nd reading, from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians, 2:17-23
-Paul's Prayer-
"The Church is Christ's body, the completion of him who himself completes all things everywhere
."
When I think of my life as a student, I remember how before College, studying seemed to me as a fragmented task. I could not understand the use for Algebra or Chemistry, since my carreer interest was more into the Human Relations Sciences. I wanted to become a Psychologist, and subjects not direcly related to that world made me feel as if I was using my time erroneously. It wasn't until I arrived to the University when studying seemed to have reached full circle. Analizing the relationship between chemical balance and a healthy working brain finaly made me thank my teacher's efforts to make me understand not only Chemistry, but also Physics, and even Math.
Somehow I think that the disciples felt a bit like me and fragmented education, because prior to the arrival of the Holy Spirit they did not had full understanding of Jesus' messages. They followed him because they have faith, because they believed in him blindly, and trusted him and loved him as much as their own lives. Like college students, the disciples "got it" once the Holy Spirit's wisdom filled them up, just like it continues to do to all of those who follow and believe in Jesus' promises.
*****W*E*L*C*O*M*E***H*O*L*Y***S*P*I*R*I*T*****
The Gospel according to Luke, 24: 46-53
-Jesus Appears to His Disciples- ; -Jesus is Taken Up to Heaven-
"And I myself will send upon you what my Father has promised."
The Gospel transports us to Jesus' final moments with is disciples. For the 2nd time they are all facing separation. Jesus' feelings, his concerns, remain the same. At the time of his crucisfiction Jesus is not bothered with his own demise but instead he is preocupied with what can happen to his followers. Once again, on this last day, Jesus is all about reassuring the disciples that they are about to receive the most precious gift. Jesus downplays his own glorious moment, the one when he is about to be reunited with the Father, on behalf of the greatness that is about to befall on the disciples.
On every moment of his life, Jesus has been consistent on keeping them -and us too-, on the top of his list. Our wellbeing is Jesus' concern.
May we be able to receive the graces that Jesus offers to us, and may we be able to imitate him, placing others' needs ahead of ours.
-Jesus is Taken Up to Heaven-
"...in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
The events of this day, filled with words of action, set up in motion the
important work that lays ahead for the apostles. No longer are they in wait for the coming of the Savior, for they know that God's prophecy has taken place in front of their very eyes, and the Messiah not only has been there with them, but has also announced his permanent departure from this earthly realm.So there they are, the twelve, about to witness a miraculous event. Our Lord, after having said wise words to them, is elevated and surrounded with a cloud that takes him from the disciples' sight.
The disciples remain in the city, for Jesus has asked them to remain there until they receive the visit of the "special visitor", and the disciples oblige.
Like them, may we are able to wait for as long as Jesus requires of us, and may our hearts and souls be filled with the light and the power of the Holy Spirit.
*****W*E*L*C*O*M*E***H*O*L*Y***S*P*I*R*I*T*****
2nd reading, from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians, 2:17-23
-Paul's Prayer-
"The Church is Christ's body, the completion of him who himself completes all things everywhere
."When I think of my life as a student, I remember how before College, studying seemed to me as a fragmented task. I could not understand the use for Algebra or Chemistry, since my carreer interest was more into the Human Relations Sciences. I wanted to become a Psychologist, and subjects not direcly related to that world made me feel as if I was using my time erroneously. It wasn't until I arrived to the University when studying seemed to have reached full circle. Analizing the relationship between chemical balance and a healthy working brain finaly made me thank my teacher's efforts to make me understand not only Chemistry, but also Physics, and even Math.
Somehow I think that the disciples felt a bit like me and fragmented education, because prior to the arrival of the Holy Spirit they did not had full understanding of Jesus' messages. They followed him because they have faith, because they believed in him blindly, and trusted him and loved him as much as their own lives. Like college students, the disciples "got it" once the Holy Spirit's wisdom filled them up, just like it continues to do to all of those who follow and believe in Jesus' promises.
*****W*E*L*C*O*M*E***H*O*L*Y***S*P*I*R*I*T*****
The Gospel according to Luke, 24: 46-53
-Jesus Appears to His Disciples- ; -Jesus is Taken Up to Heaven-
"And I myself will send upon you what my Father has promised."
The Gospel transports us to Jesus' final moments with is disciples. For the 2nd time they are all facing separation. Jesus' feelings, his concerns, remain the same. At the time of his crucisfiction Jesus is not bothered with his own demise but instead he is preocupied with what can happen to his followers. Once again, on this last day, Jesus is all about reassuring the disciples that they are about to receive the most precious gift. Jesus downplays his own glorious moment, the one when he is about to be reunited with the Father, on behalf of the greatness that is about to befall on the disciples.
On every moment of his life, Jesus has been consistent on keeping them -and us too-, on the top of his list. Our wellbeing is Jesus' concern.
May we be able to receive the graces that Jesus offers to us, and may we be able to imitate him, placing others' needs ahead of ours.
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